Rock On: An Office Power Ballad (2008)

Rock On is a fun and quick read about the descent of the once-great Atlantic Records from an insider perspective. This book isn't going to make you feel sorry for the major labels; more likely it'll make you wonder how they lasted so long. Kennedy presents himself as an out-of-touch, over-paid, marketing employee, simultaneously representing and feeling alienated from the bulk of the management. While his humorous and embarrassing antidotes from the world of calculated and commercial pop music are entertaining, they made me want to read a book by someone with more experience and insight. It's a shame Ahmet Ertegun never wrote his autobiography.

Percussion Table a.k.a. Divorce Machine

One might argue that this product stretches the scope of the original inspiration for this blog. However, since we have branched into examining the latest music gadgets, and books about musical people, I believe my review is justified. I'm sure you've already seen the latest product from Tor Clausen, the Washington-based maestro of musical furniture. The video is spreading like wildfire (I died a little inside the first time I watched). Immediately after, I felt the need to band together with my fellow wives, girlfriends, and neighbors in order to engage in a preemptive strike for any pending requests:

1) No, it would not be rad.
2) Yes, I watched the video.
3) Nope, still not rad.
4) Yes, they have clauses that address this in our marriage documents.
5) Yes, I just looked at the documents.
6) Our couch has a brand new slipcover with your name written all over it.

Now, fellas, if you choose not to heed my warnings, why don't you plunk down your cash on the musical porch swing instead. At least we can lock the doors behind you while you're creating music to your heart's content. Outdoors.

Grand Archives - The Grand Archives (2008)

Mat Brooke knows how to make beautiful dreamy pop music. It's like his old group Band of Horses, but not nearly as depressed. He's also dropped most of the ringing guitars and the Neil Young influence in favor of vocal harmonies and some well-placed whistling. The songs are generally sweet and slow yet still catchy. "Torn Blue Foam Couch" and "Index Moon" are just gorgeous. The album closes with rollicking "The Crime Window", which reminds me of the Beach Boys' party version of "Barbara Ann". Highly recommended.

Chuck Prophet - Dreaming Waylon's Dreams (2008)

An album version of the 33 1/3 series of books is an intriguing concept. Still, a straight-ahead cover of a classic album could go horribly wrong, but Chuck Prophet and company seem to have approached this with the right amount respect and irreverence. He adds his own laid-back, worn vocals and sliding psychedelic guitar to some already fantastic songs, updating "Waymore's Blues" for a more weary and cynical world. Co-conspirator Stephanie Finch contributes an excellent version of "Let's All Help The Cowboys (Sing The Blues)". It won't replace your copy of Dreaming My Dreams, but it may make you go back and appreciate it again.

Destroyer - Trouble In Dreams (2008)

I like Dan Bejar because he's such a weirdo... He has an amazing ability to make catchy songs with crazed-out stream-of-conscience-ness lyrics. Destroyer is also one of those bands that I would never really recommend to anyone unless I knew them really really well because sometimes throwing yourself under the bus just isn't that fun..

Like sometimes you'll find a youtube video that you think is really funny and you want to share it with others. I heartily recommend doing that via e-mail rather then hauling out the computer when you're sitting around with friends. Every so often that youtube video will be a hit with your audience but other times it will be 30 seconds of you nervously watching your friends face only to realize they aren't feeling it and then like 2.5 minutes of agony while your prized streamed video goes down in flames...

What does this have to do with Destroyer? At this point I'm not really sure... I think what I'm saying is that I feel strangely protective of his music. I think that I'm worried that where I see a "beautiful fragile mess" other people might see just a "mess".. Why am I so emotionally invested? Good question.. he seems to have enough critical acclaim to be safe... Maybe it's because I'm pretty sure that I'm just as much a weirdo as Dan Bejar.


Stand out songs.. "Foam Hands", "Introducing Angels", "Rivers"

The Raconteurs - Consolers Of The Lonely (2008)

This album rocks at first listen… and then just keeps on entertaining. Jack White, Brendan Benson and the gang improve upon Broken Boy Soldiers and put together a well-rounded, wide-ranging tour de rock n' roll. Taking full advantage of diverse instrumentation and expansive influence, Consolers seamlessly intermingles ballad piano, honky violin & banjo, electric organ, western trumpet, and other variations, with the reverberating blues and acoustic guitar distinctive of White's projects. However, this album provides a depth and texture that you won't find in many White Stripes’ productions. Come December, this one should be near the top of many 2008 lists.

Addictive tracks: “Old Enough” and “The Switch and the Spur,” but all are worth a stint on repeat.

Fleet Foxes - Ragged Wood & Sun Giant (2008)

This album and EP sound like summer music. The songs are generally upbeat and relaxed, like lying in the grass in the sun feeling lazy and maybe a little drunk. Each song is full of harmonies backed by strummed and plucked acoustic guitars. My favorites are "Your Protector", "Drops In The River", and "English House". For fans of Band of Horses, the Shins, and the sweeter side of My Morning Jacket.

16 gb iPod touch

After talking about maybe getting one of these for the better part of 4 months I did it.. I have this problem of thinking things over a bunch and then wanting them instantly. I finally convinced myself to get the 16gb iPod touch and then went to Circuit City to get one and they only had the other sizes.. lame! Then a couple of days later I rode my bike over to Costco (who does that?) and they had every type of iPod except the one I wanted. I almost fell for their $10 lower price tag on the 32gb model but one of the main reasons that I wanted the 16gb is so that I'd be a bit more discerning about what I put on it. With my old iPod I had the tendency to think "this album is a classic I have to put it on!"... and all of the sudden it was full.

Anyways I finally broke down and ordered it online and two days later discovered that the iPod touch is awesome. I've done mostly non-music-listening things on it so far, like searching youtube and discovering that playboy has a mobile device site. iPod touch is seriously goodtimes... go out and get 2 or 3.

R.E.M. - Accelerate (2008)

Plugged-in and re-energized, this album recalls the R.E.M. that wrote "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" It seems that after a few albums that failed to catch fire they are out to prove they are still capable and relevant. The single "Supernatural Superserious" is the obvious standout, but the rest of the album holds up well. Check out "Hollow Man" and "Living Well Is The Best Revenge".

The Black Keys - Attack & Release (2008)

I love seeing the Black Keys live. Dan Auerbach plays the hell out of the guitar and Patrick Carney always seems like he's on the verge of destroying his drum kit. However, this album highlights their laid back side. "All You Ever Wanted" starts if off by sucking you in with its loping rhythm. The mellow songs, like "Things Ain't LIke They Used To Be", stand out in part because the production adds new textures to their sound. Songs like "Remember When (Side B)" and "I Got Mine" bring back the destructive guitar riffs, but they're used in moderation.

Gary Louris - Vagabonds (2008)

I'm a longtime fan of the Jayhawks, and not exactly an unbiased reviewer. It's hard to believe that this is Gary Louris' first solo album, 19 years after Blue Earth came out. Although he mostly stays with the mellow alt. country vibe of Rainy Day Music, he seems to be trying out some new sounds, incorporating some soul on "Omaha Nights" and easing the guitars into a laid-back squall on "I Wanna Get High". It may not make any new converts, but fans will certainly find something here they like.

Howlin Rain - Magnificent Fiend (2008)

This is classic psychedelic garage rock at its best, full of squiggly guitars and fuzzed up solos. The strained vocals backed by B3 pay homage to laid-back rambling man southern rock. However, it's the overall quality of the songs make this album stand out in an otherwise well-worn genre. "Calling Lightning Pt. 2" and "Lord Have Mercy" are just awesome. I bet they're even better live.

Soko - Not Sokute (2007)

If someone were to ask me - in five songs or less - to capture the essence of my most irrational moments in life, I'd whip out Soko - Not Sokute and bonk them on the head. From the very first note, I was struck by her adorable french accent and the playful innocence of her voice (the way she pronounces "boots" practically melts my heart). But innocent, ladies and gents, she is not! While most of her songs are about boys gone bad, the range of emotions in her tunes cover all the bases. Nothing to wear before a party? Try "Shitty Today." Hating life before your morning coffee? "I'll Kill Her" is your ticket.

In sum, Soko is one sweet, crazy bitch. I can't get enough.

Duffy - Rockferry (2008)

Hmm. I don't know what to make of this one. Another British blue-eyed soul singer with a powerful set of pipes. But something is a little off. Some songs just sound a little over-produced, or pitch corrected, like she was singing radio or dance pop until Amy Winehouse hit big. However, that can't hold back classic soul burners like "Mercy" and "Rockferry". Were Mark Ronson and the Dap-Kings unavailable?

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (2008)

This is a very enjoyable, mellow album. Everything sounds heartfelt throughout this patiently, fine crafted collection of acoustic solitude. Primarily falsetto vocals are supplemented by an undertone of steady acoustic guitar and subtle sporadic snare and bass drumming... this gives the songs a beautifully captivating simplicity. For Emma is perhaps my favorite study/reading album that I have discovered so far this year—in the realm of Iron & Wine’s The Shepherd's Dog—and given the amount of time I spend studying, it may break into my favorite new albums overall.

For the uninitiated: "Blindsided," "Skinny Love," “For Emma”

Tift Merritt - Another Country (2008)

What a beautiful album. Sure, I miss the soulful alt. country that made me love Tambourine, but her voice is also perfect for this intimate and melancholy set of songs.

Drive-By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark (2008)

For seven years I have partied, road tripped, rocked out, and then recovered with the southern-rock offerings of the Drive-By Truckers. However, the post-Jason Isbell hangover is evident on Brighter Then Creation's Dark—a country-rock marathon with hints of previous DBT releases on quaaludes. The rumbling hooks that drove Southern Rock Opera and the sing-along refrains of Decoration Day and The Dirty South have been replaced with dreary reflections on alcoholism, loneliness, death and other human struggles that never accomplish the meaningfulness of DBT’s previous character pieces. With a few exceptions, Creation's Dark is an unfortunate slip towards mediocrity—a veritable tragedy when you consider the talent of this group. Don't get me wrong, I don’t entirely dislike this album, but in light of the lofty expectations that I have developed over the last quarter of my life, there were quite a few disappointments and only a couple tracks that excited the senses.

Diamonds in the Rough: "Self-Destructive Zones," "3 Dimes Down," "Perfect Timing"

El Guincho - Alegranza (2008)

It's very rare that an album knocks me out track by track on the first listen. I have no idea what they are saying in Spanish, or if it even is Spanish, but I know where the party is and I want to be there. They take the Fela's Afro beat jams and make them exciting again, with lots of clapping, drum loops, chanting, and spirited rhythms from all over the rest of the world. If this doesn't make you shake your ass, you might be dead.